SC Lawmakers Kill Abortion Restrictions Bill

A South Carolina Senate subcommittee has killed a bill that opponents claim would have forced the closure of abortion clinics across the Palmetto State.

The legislation, which would have required physicians performing abortions to have board certifications in obstetrics and gynecology, was introduced by Republican State Sen. Lee Bright, The State newspaper reports.

It would have also required doctors performing abortions at outpatient facilities to have staff privileges at a local hospital.

Bright told the newspaper the bill would better regulate abortion clinics, helping prevent situations like the Philadelphia doctor now on trial for allegedly killing four babies who were born alive.

But the American Civil Liberties Union and Planned Parenthood argued the bill would place even tougher regulations on a medical practice already heavily scrutinized.

The Senate subcommittee voted 3 to 2 to carry over the bill, effectively killing it, the newspaper said.